A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paihia vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Paihia and Gili Trawangan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Paihia

Paihia is a relaxing, fun-filled, and beautiful coastal town. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Paihia travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a idyllic, laidback, and tropical island. The beauty of Gili Trawangan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Paihia and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paihia than Gili Trawangan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paihia is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping, while Gili Trawangan is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Paihia is well known for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Paihia is famous for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Gili Trawangan is well known for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving.

How is Paihia different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Gili Trawangan and Paihia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Paihia is very good for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Paihia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Paihia or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Paihia and Gili Trawangan offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Paihia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

Dining out in Gili Trawangan is an experience not to be missed. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Gili Trawangan is a world class party destination. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

Paihia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Paihia is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Gili Trawangan makes a nice vacation spot. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Paihia is not a resort destination.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for snorkeling and scuba diving.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Gili Trawangan. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Paihia and Gili Trawangan both offer first-rate beaches.

Paihia offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Gili Trawangan. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Paihia is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Paihia. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Paihia is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Paihia. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Gili Trawangan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Paihia is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Paihia is one of the most popular family destinations. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

Gili Trawangan is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Paihia is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Paihia has plenty to offer. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

Couples visit Gili Trawangan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Gili Trawangan is extremely popular for backpackers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Paihia is a very popular coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Paihia and Gili Trawangan.

Paihia has some public transit options. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

You'll find some public transit in Gili Trawangan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Paihia or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable island. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable coastal town. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Paihia Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Paihia?

How long in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Paihia or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Paihia due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paihia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

Families should spend more time in Paihia than Gili Trawangan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Paihia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Paihia than Gili Trawangan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Paihia that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Paihia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Gili Trawangan.

One day in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

In Paihia, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Paihia is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Gili Trawangan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paihia. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gili Trawangan. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paihia or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal town of Paihia. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laidback destination of Gili Trawangan. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paihia and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Paihia is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paihia is in Pacific and Gili Trawangan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Paihia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paihia than you might in Gili Trawangan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paihia Expensive? and Is Gili Trawangan Expensive?.